Barthez and Di Canio? No, West Ham against United in the FA Cup reminds me of another player entirely... Geoff Pike

West Ham against Manchester United in the FA Cup. It's a reminder of Fabien Barthez and Paolo Di Canio. Well, that's what they keep telling me.

Except that isn't the case for this fan. Don't get me wrong, I remember that match at Old Trafford a dozen years ago. The last few minutes of the game anyway, which is all I could see live having rushed to a pub from a family event.

But there's a match from many years before that always comes to mind when I recall these two clubs playing in the old competition, and in particular a certain header from Geoff Pike.

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The first match of the fifth round tie at Upton Park in 1986 ended in a 1-1 draw, with Frank Stapleton scoring a superb diving header for the Reds to force a replay.

Why does the second game stick in the mind? Mainly because it was a televised match. This was in an era when it really did mean something to use the phrase televised match.

Also, the goal from Pike was so memorable. I hadn't really seen a header quite like it at the time, and haven't seen too many better since.

Pike brilliantly connected with Mark Ward's corner from the edge of the penalty area to put the Hammers in front in the first half, and their 2-0 victory was sealed with a penalty from Ray Stewart after the break.

Quite a lot has changed in the game since that March afternoon 27 years ago. A certain Sir Alex Ferguson wasn't in the United dugout for one thing. He would join the club as manager later that year. The Hammers were still led by long-serving boss John Lyall, and were actually in the title race that season.

I'll let you note some other differences for yourself. I'd just like to point out one other thing, the man in the commentary box. The peerless tones of the late, great Brian Moore. Now there was a fine man of football.